Yes, as Jim says, 185/80HRx14 are very scarce - the only commonly available one that I'm aware of is the Vredestein Sprint Classic. A more popular general choice seems to be 195/70HRx14 (assuming standard wheels/usage).

....Roger

RSSOC member (since 1982)
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"Condition can be bought at any time; Originality, once lost, is gone forever" - Doug Nye

My car had 195 70HR 14's on the front and wider 70HR 14's on the back a typical solution my mechanic says I had no problem getting 185x80HR14's, in fact, they were the cheapest, not £50 a corner. I might put 205x80HR14's on the back next as the 80HR14's make the speedo read right

When you increase the compression of any engine you make it more thermodynamically efficient, that makes it more powerful.

My car had 195 70HR 14's on the front and wider 70HR 14's on the back a typical solution my mechanic says I had no problem getting 185x80HR14's, in fact, they were the cheapest, not £50 a corner. I might put 205x80HR14's on the back next as the 80HR14's make the speedo read right

The only "cheap" 185/80x14 tyres I can see are either T rated or van tyres.All the H rated ones are expensive,hence the advice to go to 195/70/14 H,the small difference in rolling radius will not be significant.

Yes, as Jim says, 185/80HRx14 are very scarce - the only commonly available one that I'm aware of is the Vredestein Sprint Classic. A more popular general choice seems to be 195/70HRx14 (assuming standard wheels/usage).

Yes, TBH I didn't mention them, as the price of the Vredesteins normally seems to induce derision in most Scimitar owners; not much chance anyone is going to opt for a tyre that's now significantly dearer! In addition, in the past, I actually had a set of MXV-P (in fact the spare on the mulberry car is still one of them). I didn't particularly like them - they were certainly hard wearing, but lacking in grip, and the sidewalls seemed to be particularly squidgy, which mucked-up the handling as well. The Vredesteins are much better (and I believe they are used as the control tyre in a class of classic Jaguar racing?).
IMHO 195/70 gives a nice balance of grip and control, I'm not convinced that 6" rims are really wide enough to fully realise the potential of 205s (I use 205s on the 15x7 rims on the Yellow Peril)

....Roger

RSSOC member (since 1982)
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"Condition can be bought at any time; Originality, once lost, is gone forever" - Doug Nye

I agree Roger , back in the day I ran 205/70/14 Michelein XWX tyres on the SE5 on standard rims I was better off then . On standard rims they wallowed as the sidewalls were pulled in somewhat . I changed to 7 inch wide rims and this put the sidewalls at a better more vertical orientation this stiffened the handling up no end .

Yes, as Jim says, 185/80HRx14 are very scarce - the only commonly available one that I'm aware of is the Vredestein Sprint Classic. A more popular general choice seems to be 195/70HRx14 (assuming standard wheels/usage).

So presumably you've informed your insurers that you'll be changing to T-rated tyres? They may well be happy, but they really should be told, as it's a two-grade step down from H-rated, which have been oem spec since the Se5 changed to the 5a. Mind you, if they really are only going to "sit on my drive" and not be driven, then perhaps it doesn't matter (though I'm surprised you bothered changing in that case?).

In any case I would have thought that size was going to be way under-tyred for the power figures you're talking about in your other threads?

....Roger

RSSOC member (since 1982)
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"Condition can be bought at any time; Originality, once lost, is gone forever" - Doug Nye

So presumably you've informed your insurers that you'll be changing to T-rated tyres? They may well be happy, but they really should be told, as it's a two-grade step down from H-rated, which have been oem spec since the Se5 changed to the 5a. Mind you, if they really are only going to "sit on my drive" and not be driven, then perhaps it doesn't matter (though I'm surprised you bothered changing in that case?).

In any case, I would have thought that size was going to be way under-tyred for the power figures you're talking about in your other threads?

I'm told it needs an MoT even to sit in my parking spot, and the roads aren't that good in Cornwall. I'm told Van boots stiffen up the steering, Honestly, I didn't notice the T, and didn't know what it meant, I skimmed the specs but thought 118mph I'll never go that fast Cornwall being lacking in motorway. The power its for driveability, it comes back to living in Cornwall.
The ethanol engine is sitting in a stand and will need an EFI system before it can be put in a car.

When you increase the compression of any engine you make it more thermodynamically efficient, that makes it more powerful.